Table 1.

Comparison of results of nested multiplex PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), microscopy and culture on stool specimens.

Nested multiplex PCR result	Microscopy and culture result a				Total no. of specimen
	Positive by microscopy and culture	Positive by microscopy only	Positive by culture only	Negative by microscopy and culture
E. dispar (mono infection)	80	16	4	0	100
E. histolytica (mono infection)	12	2	1	0	15
E. moshkovskii (mono infection)	2	0	0	0	2
E. dispar + E. moshkovskii (mixed)	16	0	2	0	18
E. dispar + E. histolytica (mixed)	35	2	1	0	38
E. histolytica + E.moshkovskii (mixed)	2	0	0	0	2
E.dispar+E.histolytica+E.moshkovskii (mixed)	15	0	0	0	15
Negative	2	2	8	35	47
Total	164	22	16	35	237

^a Microscopy and culture was unable to distinguish between cyst and trophozoite of E. histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii in stool specimens.